GAILLARD DU MESNIL
Gaillard du Mesnil finished in third place five times from five starts over the big fences. But after a decent season, including a win at Leopardstown, he came good again at Cheltenham, winning the National Hunt Chase. The Willie Mullins horse has a lively chance.
NO: 13 | FORM: 3-2131 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: Paul Townend | TRAINER: W. Mullins
CORACH RAMBLER
The two-time winner of the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham is the current favourite for the Grand National. But will this rambler go the distance at Aintree? The handicapper has given him every chance, but doubts remain over how he’ll take to the marathon Aintree trip.
NO: 26 | FORM: U1-541 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: Derek Fox | TRAINER: L. Russell
DELTA WORK
Delta Work went off as a 10/1 shot for the National last year but was bested on the day, finishing third. However, he is a top-notch chaser who won the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham for the second year in a row, and I can see him working his way into the frame at Aintree.
NO: 7 | FORM: 3-1361 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 11-04 | JOCKEY: Keith Donoghue | TRAINER: G. Elliott
AIN’T THAT A SHAME
It’s a shame about his lack of experience, only seven outings over the Chase fences. However, he’s shown some promise in those races, notably when finishing second behind The Big Dog in the Munster National in October.
NO: 25 | FORM: 20-241 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: Rachael Blackmore | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
MR INCREDIBLE
Moved to Willie Mullins in November and was unlucky to be brought down in his first run for the yard. Redeemed himself at Warwick with a second-place finish and a third place in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Not incredible form, but not bad either. A super performance could see him flying into the places.
NO: 28 | FORM: RP-B23 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: Brian Hayes | TRAINER: W. Mullins
NOBLE YEATS
Noble Yeats ripped up the form book last year when he became the first seven-year-old to win the Grand National since Bogskar in 1940. The handicapper has somewhat hampered his chances this year, but he continues to improve with age and should put in a noble effort.
NO: 2 | FORM: -P1134 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 11-11 | JOCKEY: Sean Bowen | TRAINER: E. Mullins
THE BIG DOG
Made a great start to the season winning back-to-back races at Limerick (Munster National) and Navan (Troytown Handicap Chase) and was then 3rd in the Coral Welsh National. Ticked a lot of boxes until his recent tumble in the Irish Gold Cup.
NO: 5 | FORM: 6-113F | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | JOCKEY: Aidan Coleman | TRAINER: P. Fahey
ANY SECOND NOW
After a third-place finish in the 2021 Grand National and a second-place finish in 2022, many wonder if 2023 will be his year. Standing in his way is top weight which no horse has won off since Red Rum in 1974.
NO: 1 | FORM: 12-241 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-12 | JOCKEY: Mark Walsh | TRAINER: T. Walsh
LE MILOS
Started the season well by winning at Bangor and then scored a big win in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury when he beat this years Grand National favourite Corach Rambler. This young horse is shaping up to be quite the chaser and could be worthy of consideration given his price and light treatment from the handicapper.
NO: 15 | FORM: 14-112 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-11 | JOCKEY: Harry Skelton | TRAINER: D. Skelton
CAPODANNO
Usually 7-year-olds don’t fair well in the Grand National. However, in 2022, a seven-year-old named Noble Yeats shocked the racing world by taking the top prize. Could another young horse be ready to repeat this feat? His big weight and relative lack of experience might count against him this year.
NO: 6 | FORM: 2U4-13 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | JOCKEY: Danny Mullins | TRAINER: W. Mullins
GALVIN
Fourth in the Gold Cup in 2022, and has had a mixed bag this season but came good to finish second, behind Delta Work, in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham. He will have to overcome a big weight to make an impression in the race.
NO: 3 | FORM: -61462 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-11 | JOCKEY: Davy Russell | TRAINER: G. Elliott
OUR POWER
A winner last time out at Kempton, Our Power has two wins under his belt this season and plenty of fans. If he takes to the fences he could well power to a place.
NO: 35 | FORM: 135-11 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: S. Twiston-Davies | TRAINER: S. Thomas
VANILLIER
A decent chaser but not having the best season, falling and coming last in two of his four races. On the plus side, he does have bags of stamina, and will carry low weight.
NO: 23 | FORM: -636F2 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Sean Flanagan | TRAINER: G. Cromwell
BACK ON THE LASH
This cross-country specialist should have no problems with the fences and distance. He’ll carry one of the lightest loads in the race. He’s the kind of horse to give each-way backers plenty to cheer.
NO: 39 | FORM: -9231P | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Adam Wedge | TRAINER: M. Keighley
LONGHOUSE POET
Longhouse Poet came in 6th place last year and, despite a little blip in form this season, has bounced back and could give backers reasons to wax lyrical on Grand National day.
NO: 12 | FORM: -P16U1 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: JJ Slevin | TRAINER: M. Brassil
ROI MAGE
Regularly runs at longer distances than many of his competitors here. He’s been in the money 23 times from 38 chase starts. Could challenge for a top 6 place but is unlikely to win it.
NO: 19 | FORM: 7-33F2 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: Felix De Giles | TRAINER: P. Griffin
LIFETIME AMBITION
This runner has only placed outside the top four once in his career. His 4th place in the Grand Sefton at Aintree in November confirms his ability to handle the Grand National fences. However, rarely gets tested beyond 3 miles, so stamina could be an issue.
NO: 9 | FORM: 242343 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 11-03 | JOCKEY: Sean O’Keeffe | TRAINER: J. Harrington
VELVET ELVIS
His season began on a disappointing note, as he failed to finish in two consecutive races. In his last two outings, he’s displayed a marked improvement in form. However, the marathon Aintree trip looks beyond his range.
NO: 24 | FORM: -0PP12 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Darragh O’Keeffe | TRAINER: T. Gibney
COKO BEACH
Finished 8th in the National last year but struggled to make an impact. Won recently at Punchestown in the Irish Grand National Trial and if there’s a bit of give in the ground at Aintree, he could be worth a punt.
NO: 11 | FORM: 8-9441 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: Harry Cobden | TRAINER: G. Elliott
FURY ROAD
Fury Road has an impressive track record, having come in first twice and placing in six of his ten chase starts. Unfortunately, the race distance and weight he’s carrying could hamper his chances.
NO: 4 | FORM: -31336 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-06 | JOCKEY: Jonjo O’Neill Jnr | TRAINER: G. Elliott
MISTER COFFEY
He has yet to win from his eight chase starts (neither did Rule The World), but his 3rd place finish at Cheltenham in the National Hunt Challenge Cup indicates real potential. Could be the dark horse in this year’s National.
NO: 29 | FORM: 20-223 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: Nico De Boinville | TRAINER: N. Henderson
THE BIG BREAKAWAY
The Big Breakaway will need a big slice of luck to make an impression. Lightly raced in the past two seasons, he was 2nd in the Welsh National before taking his chances in the Ultima at Cheltenham, where he pulled up having never really got going.
NO: 17 | FORM: 3P-22P | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | JOCKEY: Brendan Powell | TRAINER: J. Tizzard
ENJOY D’ALLEN
Unseated his rider in last year’s race, so connections then took him to the Irish National, where he finished in 9th place. Nothing since then indicates that a better performance is on the cards this year.
NO: 27 | FORM: 9-0006 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: Simon Torrens | TRAINER: C. Murphy
DUNBOYNE
Shows the odd glimpse of potential, like when he was beaten by a head in the Goffs Theyestes in January, but hard to back a horse that refused to run as recently as November and pulled up in December at Fairyhouse.
NO: 36 | FORM: 6R1P24 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Jack Tudor | TRAINER: G. Elliott
EVA’S OSKAR
Despite the long odds, Eva’s Oskar is definitely not out of the running. More than capable of going the distance, the grey was 4th last time out at Newcastle in the Eider Chase (4m1f), carrying top weight. In the National, Eva’s Oskar will carry one of the lowest loads and could be a great option to consider for an each-way bet.
NO: 34 | FORM: -62164 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Alan Johns | TRAINER: T. Vaughan
MINELLA TRUMP
Form shows an impressive 11 wins or places out of 12 steeplechase starts. However, the majority of these races featured horses far less competitive than those who will show up to Aintree. On the plus side, he’s lightly treated by the handicapper, and trainer Donald McCain Jnr knows a thing or two about Grand National winners.
NO: 22 | FORM: 121-17 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Theo Gillard | TRAINER: D. McCain
HILL SIXTEEN
Pulled up in the Welsh National (2021), unseated in the Scottish (2022), and while he completed the Becher Chase in December over the National fence, was never really in contention.
NO: 31 | FORM: 2U-370 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Ryan Mania | TRAINER: S. Thomson
GABBY’S CROSS
Gabby’s Cross has never won at more than 2m6f and just about made 3rd place last time out at 3 miles. On that showing, the Grand National could be pushing him beyond his limits.
NO: 32 | FORM: 515683 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Peter Carberry | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
BORN BY THE SEA
The only people backing this horse are those who were actually born by the sea as a nod to the name only. There’s a reason he went off at 150/1 last time out at Cheltenham!
NO: 40 | FORM: 353050 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Philip Enright | TRAINER: P. Gilligan
SAM BROWN
Won a Chase at Aintree last year, but that was his last success. Not shown any real form this season so far and doesn’t look likely to be in contention here.
NO: 8 | FORM: 1-35P5 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-04 | JOCKEY: Jonathan Burke | TRAINER: A. Honeyball
CAREFULLY SELECTED
Was out of commission for nearly three years before returning this season. His first race back was a warm up before he won at Gowran Park in the Goffs Thyestes. Lack of racing makes him a difficult horse to assess.
NO: 10 | FORM: 1U/014 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | JOCKEY: Michael O’Sullivan | TRAINER: W. Mullins
A WAVE OF THE SEA
The youngster has tonnes of experience with 21 chase starts under his belt. However, none at more than three miles. Ran at Cheltenham in March but pulled up in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup. Not the most fluent jumper, which is a concern at Aintree.
NO: 21 | FORM: 64P03P | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Shane Fitzgerald | TRAINER: J. O’Brien
CLOUDY GLEN
From the late Trevor Hemmings, Cloudy Glen bagged a huge win in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase in November, but it’s been a mixed bag since, with the 10-year-old pulling up last time out in the Ultima. Nevertheless, the handicapper has given him every chance, so don’t rule him out.
NO: 30 | FORM: 1P9-3P | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: Charlie Deutsch | TRAINER: V. Williams
FORTESCUE
Ran in the Grand National last year but unseated his rider four out, at which stage he was already being pushed along. Did come back for the Becher Chase in December when finishing 4th but then pulled up in the Coral Welsh National. Could come good on the day, but stamina may let him down.
NO: 38 | FORM: U-44P5 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Hugh Nugent | TRAINER: H. Daly
RECITE A PRAYER
One of the Mullins entries that is unlikely to make much of an impact, especially if his 12th-place finish in the Becher Chase is anything to go by. That said, he can clearly get over the fences but will need to do more than recite a prayer to have any real hope.
NO: 33 | FORM: 102300 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Jack Foley | TRAINER: W. Mullins
DIOL KER
Past results suggest he can definitely get around the course. More likely to be in the top 10 than actually win it. Will also need the ground on the softer side.
NO: 20 | FORM: 0-9220 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: Kieren Buckley | TRAINER: N. Meade
DARASSO
Any horse that racks up earnings of over £470K is a force to be reckoned with; however, Darasso is yet to be tested beyond three miles, so that’s a major concern. Nevertheless, with 19 wins or places from 28 starts, he can’t be overlooked.
NO: 14 | FORM: 233154 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-13 | JOCKEY: Luke Dempsey | TRAINER: J.P. O’Brien
FRANCKY DU BERLAIS
With a dismal season, including refusing to jump the last fence in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham and no showing for the Becher Chase in December, it’s easy to see why this horse carries such long odds.
NO: 37 | FORM: 20005R | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Ben Jones | TRAINER: P. Bowen
CAPE GENTLEMAN
Not a convincing jumper and fell in the Kerry National last year, which isn’t the ideal prep for Aintree. Trainer has buoyed up his chances but big odds reflect the big risk.
NO: 18 | FORM: 92F304 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: Jody McGarvey | TRAINER: JJ Hanlon
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Ratings Explained
We give each horse a rating based on how closely it matches the trends and statistics of past Grand National winners.
Unlikely to mount a serious challenge.
Could place with a slice of luck.
A strong eachway chance and could even win it.
Non Runner Money Back odds listed on this page are taken from Paddy Power on 15/04/2023. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet as fluctuations can occur. Full Terms and Conditions for the promotional bet offers can be found on the respective websites – please read them before signing up.
Every year a maximum of 40 runners line up at the start of the Aintree Grand National and 600 million people worldwide tune in to watch them tackle the 30 notoriously difficult fences in a bid to put themselves into the history books. But how do those particular runners and riders make it to Grand National day?
A horse will be entered into the Grand National 2023 if it meets the minimum criteria for qualification and the owner and trainer feel that their horse is capable of handling the race.
Not all horses are suited to the long Aintree course or have the necessary jumping ability. Even if a horse gets entered, that doesn’t guarantee a place at the starting line as frequently over 100 get entered but there is a maximum field of just 40 for the race.
The race is open to horses aged seven and upwards that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase of three miles or more and who are allotted a rating of at least 125 by the BHA Handicapper.
The entry date for the race is always at the end of January or the beginning of February depending on the date of the race in April.
The names and numbers are announced by the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) the following day.
Number Of Entries
- 2023 – 85
- 2022 – 107
- 2021 – 106
- 2020 – 105 (cancelled)
- 2019 – 112
- 2018 – 105
- 2017 – 110
- 2016 – 126
- 2015 – 98
The BHA Head Of Handicapping then takes the list of entries and frames the weights.
In other words, he decides which runners will carry the heaviest weights and which will carry the least. The handicap system is designed to give every horse a fair chance of winning the race, good horses will carry more weight than those perceived to have less ability.
The maximum weight any horse can carry in the Grand National will be 11st 12lbs. The BHA has confirmed an across-the-board 2lbs rise in published weights as part of a safety allowance for jockeys as of May 2022.
The minimum weight for the Grand National will now be 10st 2lbs. Each runner’s weight will be largely determined by their OR (Official Rating) and the higher the rating, the higher the weight.
Although the Grand National is the only race in Britain in which the Handicapper can ignoring the official ratings if he wishes, often to the consternation of owners and trainers.
Horses are then put in descending order from the highest to the lowest weighted and that also determines their race number. The top-weighted horse is number one, second heaviest weighted horse is number two, and so on.
The weights are then announced, and from then on a series of ‘Declaration Stages’ or ‘Forfeit Stages’ take place.
At each of these stages, potential Grand National Runners can be withdrawn from the proceedings by their trainers and as they are removed and the entries get whittled down so even horses that have not initially made the Top 40 may now do so as entries above them are taken out.
In 2023 there were three different top weighted runners – Any Second Now, Conflated and Hewick. However, as two were withdrawn it left Any Second Now carrying top weight.
The very last declaration stage takes place at 10am on the Thursday immediately before Grand National day. This is the point where the top 40 Grand National runners are as good as finalised.
Unfortunately in 2020, the race was cancelled and did not go ahead. In 2021, no runners were withdrawn at the very final stage and 40 runners ran.
In 2022, Commodore, School Boy Hours and Romain De Senam took the final spots in the Grand National after Phoenix Way, Easysland and Lord Du Mesnil were declared non-runners.
However, Aintree has announced the reserve system for the Grand National will be discontinued from the 2023 renewal onwards. So now, if a horse is withdrawn at the final stage, it will not be replaced.
In 2023, on Grand National day, Escaria Ten from trainer Gordon Elliott was withdrawn due to lameness. That meant 39 ran in the race.
Grand National 2023 Top Weight
There has to be a Top Weight for the Grand National and that runner will carry 11st 12lbs. For 2023 there were three horses that were all allocated top weight. They were Conflated, Any Second Now and Hewick.
However, by the second scratching stage two, Hewick and Conflated, were withdrawn leaving Any Second Now as the only remaining top-weight runner.
So can Any Second Now win carrying top weight in 2023? The truth is that despite two excellent runs previously in the Grand National, a win looks very unlikely. It’s not impossible but the last horse to win while carrying top weight was Red Rum in 1974.
Only connections know if Any Second Now can successfully get around the course carrying 4lbs more than he did in 2022, when he finished second, and 17lbs more than he did in 2021 when he finished in third place.
Usually Any Second Now follows a fairly consistent path in the season as he preps for the big Aintree race. This year, trainer Ted Walsh has changed it up a little skipping a race at Gowran Park in January in favour of a trip to Leopardstown for the Paddy Power Gold Cup where he finished in 4th place.
Then it was off to Navan for a repeat win in the Webster Cup Chase. So all things being equal, it’s really difficult to overlook Any Second Now, despite carrying top weight. He’s a quality chaser, who loves Aintree and can jump those fences like a pro.
With a bit of luck on his side he could just do it in the 2023 Grand National, or at least come very close again.
2023 Grand National Race Favourite
Two horses are currently vying for the spot of Grand National 2023 favourite. Corach Rambler and Noble Yeats are on very short odds.
Of course anything can happen between now and race day and as the National draws ever closer and excitement intensifies, the odds will change.
Corach Rambler
With back-to-back wins in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Corach Rambler has become a firm favourite to win the 2023 Grand National.
Trained by Lucinda Russell, who won this race with One For Arthur in 2017, Corach Rambler is now considered 10lbs well in after his rating shot up from 146 to 156 after his winning performance at the Festival.
But winning at three miles is a very different prospect to winning at more than four. Even Peter Scudamore, Lucinda Russell’s assistant, has acknowledged the uphill battle stating:
“Corach Rambler has done what he’s done over three miles and three and a quarter, but whether he can step up and do it over four and a quarter miles remains to be seen, so let’s see what happens.”
Noble Yeats
Noble Yeats defied all the stats when winning this race in 2022. As a 7-year-old novice chaser, he wasn’t really given much of a chance going into the race.
Other than the fact that jockey Sam Waley-Cohen had announced he would retire after the race, nobody really took much notice.
Giving the Waley-Cohen family a day to remember – they also own the horse – and trainer Emmet Mullins his first win, he is back again for the 2023 Grand National.
On spectacular form, if he gets a clean run around the course, he really could get that much coveted back-to-back win.
The Jockeys
The criteria for professional or amateur jockeys wanting to take part in the race are very specific.
They must have ridden not less than 15 winners in chases or hurdle races under the Rules of Racing and/or the Rules of the Irish National Hunt Committee and ridden not less than 10 of these winners in chases.
A champion jockey like A.P. McCoy who primarily rode horses for super owner J.P. McManus had his pick of horses in the race before he retired.
Top jockey Barry Geraghty took over as the retained rider for McManus but announced his retirement in July 2020.
Since then Mark Walsh has been named as the retained rider for the McManus horses in Ireland.
The likes of Jack Kennedy and Rachael Blackmore are other top jockeys who can often choose their rides and odds will tumble on any horses chosen by the pair.
Amateur jockeys are now a rarity in the Grand National compared with races early days.
Sam Waley-Cohen is probably the most famous amateur rider in recent years and he enjoys a record over the Aintree fences which is the envy of many a professional. That includes winning the race in 2022!
Other jockeys will usually ride for the yards that retain them or a trainer will engage their services just for this race.
In recent years a number of high-profile jockeys have missed the race due to injuries picked up at the Cheltenham festival which is the last major National Hunt meeting before Aintree.
In 2018, Ruby Walsh suffered a leg fracture and Leighton Aspell suffered a neck injury that put them out of contention for the Grand National.
Bryony Frost experienced the same fate in 2019 when an injury at Cheltenham ruled her out of the National.
Don’t be put off backing a less well-known jockey or even one who has never ridden the course before.
In 2013 jockey Ryan Mania won the race at his first attempt. And David Mullins did the same thing on Rule The World in 2016!
In 2018 we saw a number of jockeys making their debut. They included James Bowen, Bryony Frost, Sam Coltherd, and Rachael Blackmore. Bryony Frost was the best finisher, getting Milansbar to fifth place.
In the Grand National 2019, Lizzie Kelly made her debut on Tea For Two.
By the end of the Grand National 2021, history had been made. Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times ran the perfect race, making Blackmore the first female jockey to ever win the Grand National.
For the 2022 Grand National, there were seven jockey’s making their debut.
They were: Tommy Dowson, Conor Orr, Ricky Doyle, Philip Armson, Jordan Gainford, Hugh Nugent, and Harry Bannister.
The 2023 Grand National will also see some new faces for fans to watch as eight jockeys will take their first trip in the big race.
They are: Theo Gillard, Alan Johns, Ben Jones, Michael O’Sullivan, Kieren Buckley, Shane Fitzgerald, Simon Torrens and Jack Foley.
What Are The Odds?
The odds quoted on any horse in the Grand National represent your potential returns if that horse should win. If a horse is quoted as 10/1 then the 10 figure is the amount you’ll get back from the bookie for a 1 unit stake. In other words, bet £1 and you’ll win £10 back. You’ll also get back the original £1 stake, making a total return of £11.
Who Decides The Odds?
The simple answer is the bookmakers. Initially, bookies will offer odds on all the horses running in the National and the bookmaker is aiming to show a profit on the race regardless of the outcome. In many ways the bookmaker doesn’t care who wins, because if he can get the maths right, he will always come out on top. Although this doesn’t always happen over one race.
In a perfect world the spread of bets on the race would guarantee the bookie a nice profit whoever wins. However, if punters keep placing bets on one horse, let us call this horse ‘Plucky Pete’, at a level disproportionate to other runners then the bookie has built up a potential liability. If ‘Plucky Pete’ wins the race the bookie will lose a fortune and they really don’t like losing! To stop this happening the bookmaker has a couple of options. They can offer bigger odds on other runners and simultaneously shorten the odds on ‘Plucky Pete’ in the hope of attracting bets away from the horse with the big liability and onto other runners. This is why you see the odds fluctuating right up until the off.
So the bookmaker sets the odds initially but the volume of money place on any runner will move the odds right up until the race starts.
What’s An Each Way Bet
The ‘Each Way’ bet works like this… Instead of betting on a horse to come 1st you can make a bet that your horse can finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (some bookmakers payout 5th & 6th places) The each way bet is really two bets in one, a £5 each way bet will cost you £10. You’re betting £5 that a horse wins and £5 that he will finish in one of the places.
Sounds like a good deal? And for the Grand National, it can make sense to back a horse each way over a straight win bet, but remember bookies aren’t registered charities. So to compensate for your increased chances of winning they reduce the quoted odds on the place part of the bet. If a horse comes home 1st you’ll still get the full quoted odds. However, should he only place, you’ll only get a quarter of the quoted odds (some bookmaker pay less than a quarter odds).
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